Rubber-core-tensioning mechanism for braiding-machines



F. W. PLUMB. RUBBER CORE TENSIONING MECHANISM FOR BRAIDING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5. 1919.

IllHll Hlll HIHI lllll UNITED STATES FREDERIC W. PLUMB, OF WYOMISS'ING,

PENNSYLVANIA,

PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR TO THE NARROW SYLVANIA.

nunnnn-ooan-rnlvsroiu'ue iancnajnrsr'a For. BRAIDING-MACHINES.

1,342,646. 1 Application filed December To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIG IV. PLUMB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wyomissing, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rubber-Core-Tensioning Mechanism for Braiding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to branding machines employed in the production of longitudinally elastic fabrics adapted for garters or like articles.

Such fabrics are commonly braided around rubber core threads extending through hollow race-circle posts; and the maintenance of a substantially equal and uniform tension upon all of these very elastic core threads at all stages of the braiding operation, is essential to the production of a fabric which will be smooth and undistorted in normal appearance and at the same time insure uniformity of strain upon all of thecore threads when the fabric is more or less stretched as required in service. The object of my invention is to provide for securing with the greatest nicety possible such equal and uniform tensioning of these elastic core threads at the braiding point of the forming fabric and it is fully set forth in connection with the accompanaying drawings and defined in the subjoined clalms.

Figure 1 is a partial plan view of a braiding machine race plate showing a series of race-circles, and core threads extending therefrom toward the braiding center; and Fig. 2 is a corresponding elevation indicating the application of my invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a core-carrying post and roller, in connection with a fixed race-circle post through which a core-thread and weighted brake cord extend; and Flg. 4 is a view at right angles to Fig. 3.

The drawing indicates the usual top plate 10 and bottom plate 11 of a braiding machine, with centrally fixed race-circle posts 12 connecting them, and carrier-drive mechanism rotatable on said posts. These posts are made hollow to permit the passage therethrough as desired, of core-threads 13 fed from a suitable supply 14 located below the bottom plate 11. For the production of garter fabric or the like, these core threads 13 are preferably made of pure rubber and require, as previously stated, to be uniformly Specification of Letters Patent.

' particular roller 21,

Patented June 8, 1920. Serial No. 342,627.

tensioned at all times with the greatest nicety possible.

Upon the projecting upper end of each of the race-circle posts 12, or upon as many thereof as desired, I secure a core-carrying post 20, having at its upper end a freelv rotatable grooved roller 21, which is moiinted upon ahorizontal pin 22, fixed to the post 20, so as to rotate in a plane radial to the braidmg center. The core-thread 13 which is fed upward to the corresponding race-circle post 12, makes one convolution, as indicated, around said grooved roller, and then extends to the braiding center where it is woven into the fabric. The tensioning of each of the core-threads extending radially from the several rollers 21, is independently determined by the braking action of a separate weight 25 located below the bottom plate 11 of the machine; the different weights employed however being readily made exactly equal, and the braking action being in each case effected through a brake cord 26 which extends through a hollow post 12 with the core thread 13. This brake cord has a looped upper end 27 engaged in a separate groove 28 of its roller 21, and is adapted at its lower end for attachment of weights as desired. Each weighted brake cord 26 thus exerts a definite braking action at all times upon its corresponding with the amount of weight provided; and the equality of this definite braking action upon all of the rollers 21, with resulting quality of tension upon all the core threads, may be positively insured by merely employing equal weights on each brake cord; or determined differences in the tensioning may be definitely provided for, as might be desired if certain of the core threads were heavier than others. The construction is simple and inexpensive and the positive maintenance of uniform tension involves merely inexpert attention to the underneath weights.

IVhat I claim is 1. In a braiding machine, the combination with a series of race-circle posts having axial core-ways, of a corresponding series of corecarrying devices located above said posts, and core-feed controlling means comprising a series of individually weighted brake cords extending through the respective core-ways.

2. In a braiding machine, the combination with a series of race-circle posts having axial carrying posts each provided with a freely rotatable core roller, and separate brake- 10 cords for said rollers each extending through a core-Way and having a braking-Weight attached to the lower end thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERIO W. PLUMB. 

